On September 8, 2026, a news report stated that a Chinese Coast Guard vessel entered the restricted waters of the Dongsha Islands and was intercepted and chased away by the Taiwanese patrol vessel “Yunlin.” So far this year, the Taiwanese coast guard has expelled Chinese vessels from the Dongsha waters on 12 occasions.
The Taiwan Ocean Affairs Council’s Southeast Taiwan Coast Guard Division released a statement on the incident. In the early hours of the morning on the 7th, they detected the Chinese Coast Guard vessel “3501” outside the restricted waters of the Dongsha Islands. Assessing its course, they determined it was heading towards the restricted zone and immediately dispatched the “Yunlin” to intercept.
The Southeast Taiwan Coast Guard Division reported that on the morning of the 7th, around 8 o’clock, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel “3501” navigated into the restricted waters from the southwest of Dongsha Island. The “Yunlin” promptly approached, monitored, and broadcasted warnings in both Chinese and English, forcefully urging the vessel to leave. The standoff at the scene continues.
It was revealed that the Taiwanese coast guard has expelled Chinese vessels from the Dongsha waters 12 times so far this year. During the broadcasted expulsion by the “Yunlin,” the Chinese vessel “3501” maliciously asserted over the maritime communication channel that “China (Communist Party) owns Taiwan.” It also threatened that Taiwan must adhere to the principle of ‘One China’ or face severe consequences.
In response, the “Yunlin” reiterated firmly through broadcast, “Taiwan, the Republic of China, is a sovereign and independent country, not under the jurisdiction of the People’s Republic of China. This is an undeniable fact and reality.”
Through maritime broadcast, the coast guard personnel stated, “The Chinese Coast Guard vessel, without permission, has violated international laws by entering our waters, disrupting our maritime order and security. Please change course and promptly leave our waters. The peace in the Taiwan Strait is crucial for global economic stability and the lifeline of the technology industry. Any conflict will result in global sanctions against you. Maritime stability is key to your country’s development. Please act cautiously for the peace in the Taiwan Strait.”
The coast guard emphasized that Taiwan indisputably holds sovereignty over the Dongsha Atoll and its surrounding waters. China’s attempts to create a false perception of jurisdiction through political maneuvers are condemned by the coast guard. They pledged to take all necessary actions to defend national sovereignty and ensure the security of Taiwan’s waters.